Why did you decide to study for a PhD, and why Leeds?

The University of Leeds is one of the leading institutions in the UK particularly for research in social and natural sciences. According to many surveys, the School of Geography is an excellent place to study geography in general and political geography in particular. My research focuses on the impact of transmigration on local elections in Lampung, Indonesia. Both of my supervisors are very capable of dealing with the study of political geography in the Indonesian context so I am definitely able to boost my knowledge in the field of migration and politics. Academics in the school also publish their research in high impact journals. Finally, by studying at Leeds, I hope to increase my knowledge and become internationally recognized as researcher particularly in the field of political geography.

What is your experience of PhD study in the School and what skills have you learnt?

I started my study in October 2014, and since then have done many training courses which are relevant to my research project. All the training attended has been very in terms of how to carry out my research project. For example, I have attended courses on the following:

Research methods such as interview skills and focus group discussion;

IT skills such as NVIVO and Endnote;

Ethics and ethical review;

Giving Effective Seminars and Presentations;

An introduction to effective research writing

Data protection and research

What are your career aspirations?

Currently, I am a public university lecturer at Lampung University, Indonesia and I regularly comment on current social and political issues in Indonesia through various Indonesian media. Moreover, as a government employee lecturer in Indonesia, I will have core responsibilities in three areas, teaching, researching and empowering the community, once I have completed my PhD and returned to Indonesia. I hope that the knowledge that I gain from studying at Leeds will be useful in helping my institution and Indonesian academia, in general, to advance in the research of political geography.

More generally, what would you say to someone else who may be considering studying a PhD in the School of Geography?

There is no doubt that School of Geography is a leading institution and a fascinating place to study in the UK. We meet academics and students from all over the world so we can share experiences, culture and knowledge with them without any boundaries. Furthermore, Leeds is a vibrant city and a nice place to live which international students still regard as their hometown even after they have left.